Frame of Imagination: Sequential Visual Storytelling – Ages 8-14

About this class

This class introduces children to the fundamentals of character and environment creation in visual storytelling. Through the creation of storyboard panels, students will learn key concepts such as composition, panel order, character development, and environmental design. Most of the children’s creations will be inspired by their imagination, allowing them to craft unique, personalized stories. By the end of the course, students will have gained skills in visual storytelling and the ability to bring their creative ideas to life.

Class Outline

Day 1 (Introduction to class + What is visual storytelling)

Welcoming the students with an icebreaker activity, and introducing what visual storytelling is
Students will brainstorm ideas about what their story is about and develop quick sketches about their characters.

Day 2 (Character creation / Storyboard)

Students will develop their created characters.
Students will draw their characters through a series of panels.

Day 3 (Environment creation / Storyboard)

Students will create various environments with different biomes to suit the story of their characters.
Students will draw their created characters within the environments

Day 4 (Adding color)

Students focus on adding color to their black and white illustrations
Learn to work with layers and various brush tools.

Day 5 (Final touches and artwork showcase)

Students add their final touches to their colored illustrations.
Students prepare to showcase their work to their colleagues and families, then talk about what they learned over the course

Materials/Equipment Required

Please note: VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.

Please do not purchase materials until you have received a final course confirmation.

IPads, with Procreate application installed (or similar digital painting app)

Schedule

Start: Sun, 20 July, 2025
End: Wed, 24 July, 2025
Lessons: 5
Days: Sunday to Thursday
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus, Room 166
Cost: QAR 850

Instructors

Sumam: Artist, Illustrator, and Visual Storyteller

For Sumam, art is not just a form of expression—it’s a gateway to explore and share the unspoken depths of his imagination. What words can’t capture, his artwork effortlessly brings to life. His creative journey is fueled by his passion for visual storytelling and his desire to challenge his own thinking, both critically and visually. With a strong foundation rooted in pop culture, Sumam’s artistic vision is heavily inspired by comics, video games, and films, with a special love for figurative drawing.

As Sumam’s drawing skills evolved, he began to understand the transformative power of art—its ability to offer endless possibilities for self-expression. This realization pushed him to explore deeper and more varied creative concepts.

In 2015, Sumam earned his BFA from the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts, where he further honed his technical and conceptual abilities. He immersed himself in portraiture and figurative painting, experimenting with shadow and light in his academic-style paintings. His subjects ranged from self-portraits to intimate depictions of friends, creating a dialogue between the artist and his subjects.

As Sumam’s practice grew, he turned his attention to surrealism, exploring imaginative and otherworldly concepts. This shift was key in shaping his artistic evolution, and by 2020, he earned his MFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Alongside his personal growth as an artist, he also shared his knowledge and passion for art by teaching as a professor assistant, helping guide the next generation of creatives.

Though Sumam has a strong affinity for realism in his work, he is always experimenting with new techniques and mediums. Whether working with paint, charcoal, graphic tablets, or mixed media, he constantly seeks fresh ways to push his creative boundaries. His art is never confined to one style or method—he believes in exploring the full spectrum of possibilities.

At the heart of Sumam’s work is the goal to connect with people on a meaningful level. Whether it’s through a powerful visual narrative or a subtle, indirect expression, he strives to make work that resonates with viewers, evoking emotions, thoughts, and stories. Art, for Sumam, is all about connection, expression, and the journey of continual discovery.

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